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ACT THE FIFTH.
SCENE I.
_Enter Alonzo, meeting Zanga._
_Alon._ Is Carlos murder'd?
_Zan._ I obey'd your order.
Six ruffians overtook him on the road; He fought as he was wont, and four he slew.
Then sunk beneath an hundred wounds to death.
His last breath blest Alonzo, and desir'd His bones might rest near yours.
_Alon._ Oh, Zanga! Zanga!
But I'll not think: for I must act, and thinking Would ruin me for action.
Where's Leonora then? Quick, answer me: I'm deep in horrors, I'll be deeper still.
I find thy artifice did take effect, And she forgives my late deportment to her.
_Zan._ I told her, from your childhood you was wont, On any great surprise, but chiefly then When cause of sorrow bore it company, To have your pa.s.sion shake the seat of reason; A momentary ill, which soon blew o'er: Then did I tell her of don Carlos' death (Wisely suppressing by what means he fell), And laid the blame on that. At first she doubted; But such the honest artifice I us'd, And such her ardent wish it should be true, That she, at length, was fully satisfied.
But what design you, sir, and how?
_Alon._ I'll tell thee.
Thus I've ordain'd it. In the jess'mine bow'r, The place which she dishonour'd with her guilt, There will I meet her; the appointment's made; And calmly spread (for I can do it now) The blackness of her crime before her sight; And then, with all the cool solemnity Of public justice, give her to the grave. [_exit._
_Zan._ Why, get thee gone! horror and night go with thee.
Sisters of Acheron, go hand in hand, Go dance around the bow'r, and close them; And tell them, that I sent you to salute them Profane the ground; and for th' ambrosial rose, And breath of jess'mine, let hemlock blacken, And deadly nightshade poison, all the air.
For the sweet nightingale, may ravens croak, Toads pant, and adders rustle through the leaves; May serpents winding up the trees let fall Their hissing necks upon them from above, And mingle kisses--such as I would give them. [_exit._
SCENE II. THE BOWER.
_Enter Alonzo.--Leonora sleeping._
_Alon._ Ye amaranths! ye roses, like the morn!
Sweet myrtles, and ye golden orange groves!
Why do you smile? Why do you look so fair?
Are ye not blighted as I enter in?
Did ever midnight ghosts a.s.semble here?
Have these sweet echoes ever learn'd to groan?
Joy-giving, love-inspiring, holy bow'r!
Know, in thy fragrant bosom thou receiv'st A--murderer! Oh, I shall stain thy lilies, And horror will usurp the seat of bliss. [_advances._ Ha! she sleeps-- The day's uncommon heat has overcome her.
Then take, my longing eyes, your last, full gaze.
Oh, what a sight is here! how dreadful fair!
Who would not think that being innocent?
Where shall I strike? who strikes her, strikes himself.
My own life-blood will issue at her wound.
But see, she smiles! I never shall smile more; It strongly tempts me to a parting kiss. [_going, he starts back._ Ha! smile again. She dreams of him she loves.
Curse on her charms! I'll stab her through them all.
[_as he is going to strike, she wakes._
_Leon._ My lord, your stay was long; and yonder lull Of falling waters tempted me to rest, Dispirited with noon's excessive heat.
_Alon._ Ye pow'rs! with what an eye she mends the day!
While they were clos'd, I should have giv'n the blow. [_aside._
_Leon._ What says my lord?
_Alon._ Why, this Alonzo says: If love were endless, men were G.o.ds; 'tis that Does counterbalance travel, danger, pain-- 'Tis heav'n's expedient to make mortals bear The light, and cheat them of the peaceful grave.
_Leon._ Alas, my lord! why talk you of the grave?
Your friend is dead: in friends.h.i.+p you sustain A mighty loss; repair it with my love.
_Alon._ Thy love, thou piece of witchcraft! I would say, Thou brightest angel! I could gaze for ever.
But oh, those eyes! those murderers! Oh, whence, Whence didst thou steal their burning orbs? from heaven?
Thou didst; and 'tis religion to adore them.
_Leon._ My best Alonzo, moderate your thoughts.
Extremes still fright me, though of love itself.
_Alon._ Extremes indeed! it hurry'd me away; But I come home again--and now for justice-- And now for death--It is impossible-- [_aside._ I leave her to just heav'n. [_drops the dagger, goes off._
_Leon._ Ha, a dagger!
What dost thou say, thou minister of death?
What dreadful tale dost tell me?--Let me think--
_Enter Zanga._
_Zan._ Death to my tow'ring hope! Oh! fall from high!
My close, long-labour'd scheme at once is blasted, That dagger, found, will cause her to inquire; Inquiry will discover all; my hopes Of vengeance perish; I myself am lost-- Curse on the coward's heart; wither his hand, Which held the steel in vain!--what can be done?
Where can I fix?--that's something still--'twill breed Fell rage and bitterness betwixt their souls, Which may, perchance, grow up to greater evil: If not, 'tis all I can--It shall be so-- [_aside._
_Leon._ Oh, Zanga, I am sinking in my fears!
Alonzo dropp'd this dagger as he left me, And left me in a strange disorder too.
What can this mean? Angels preserve his life!
_Zan._ Yours, madam, yours.
_Leon._ What, Zanga, dost thou say?
_Zan._ Carry you goodness then to such extremes, So blinded to the faults of him you love, That you perceive not he is jealous?
_Leon._ Heav'ns!
And yet a thousand things recur that swear it.
What villain could inspire him with that thought?
It is not of the growth of his own nature.
_Zan._ Some villain; who, h.e.l.l knows; but he is jealous; And 'tis most fit a heart so pure as yours Do itself justice, and a.s.sert its honour, And make him conscious of his stab to virtue.
